About Bob Shetler Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 60
Campground Amenities
-
Pet Friendly -
Potable Water -
River Access -
Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
60 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
60 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (350)
What Guests Are Saying
Bob Shetler Recreation Area offers a well-maintained and spacious campground with clean facilities, friendly staff, and convenient amenities like water and sewer hookups. Many visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and biking. While some experienced noise disturbances from nearby road activities and motorcycles, the overall experience is generally positive, with many campers expressing their desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Bob Shetler Recreation Area offers a well-maintained and spacious campground with clean facilities, friendly staff, and convenient amenities like water and sewer hookups. Many visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and biking. While some experienced noise disturbances from nearby road activities and motorcycles, the overall experience is generally positive, with many campers expressing their desire to return.
Review Summary
Vaughn D
VerifiedOctober 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: BSHW
A well kept campground and peaceful experience
Marguerite N
VerifiedOctober 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: BSHW
Was very impressed with the whole camp ground. Definitely will be back!!
Norman P
VerifiedOctober 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: BSHW
It is a nice quiet campsite with great attendants. The beach area and paths were well kept.
Gary H
VerifiedOctober 1, 2021 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: BSHM
We stayed at Bob Shetler Campgrounds for a week, it is very clean and kept up. The sites are nice and big with amp room from each other. The shower houses are cleaned twice a day. We like to bike ride and you can ride right from the campgrounds to the trails, either to Big Creek recreational area or to the entire bicycle trail system in the Des Moines area. With in walking distance of the spill way and the Des Moines river for fishing or Kayaking. Very close drive to Des Moines and all it's activities.
Rick G
VerifiedSeptember 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: BSHE
We had a wonderful stay at the park. We stayed in space 17 in the park. It was easy to get into our space with our 45' motorhome. We had electric only and everything worked great, Sprint and Verizon were both able to pull a signal for internet.
Diane B
VerifiedSeptember 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BSHW
This was our worst experience camping. The campers next to us partied on into the night until at least midnight. They were quite drunk when they returned from wherever in the evening. We had planned to stay another night but left the following morning and went home.
Lois T
VerifiedSeptember 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 55, Loop: BSHM
Rest rooms were kept very clean. There is plenty of space at each site and good space in between sites. The sites are easy to get into. Dumping station and water source are very handy.
George P
VerifiedSeptember 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: BSHM
Really nice campground, pleasant helpful staff. Clean and good sized sites.
Orlando V
VerifiedSeptember 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 59, Loop: BSHM
Campsite was great, would have been nicer being on concrete.
The men's shower was not very nice, only had one corner bench for 2 showers and the water did not drain, so I had to dry off standing in water.
Roger O
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: BSHM
I always enjoy going to Bob Shetler campground
Location Bob Shetler Recreation Area
Address:
Saylorville Lake Administration Office
Johnston, IA, 50131-1941
United States
From I-35, take exit 90 to Ankeny/Oralabor Road and go west for 4.8 miles. The road turns into Highway 415. Turn left onto 37th Street, then turn right onto Horseshoe Road. Turn right and drive across the Saylorville Lake Dam to the campground.
Latitude & Longitude: 41.7017 / -93.6853
Elevation: 247 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Click here for more information |
| General |
Click here for a virtual tour of the Saylorville Lake area. |
| General |
Saylorville Lake Campground RulesCamping: Allowed only at designated campsites. Reservations must be made in advance before setting up camping equipment.Campsite Registration: Campsites may only be registered to individuals 18 years or older, who must occupy the site for the full duration. Each campsite accommodates 1 family unit (up to 8 people) and allows either 3 tents OR 1 RV and 2 tents.Check-out time: 12:00 p.m. (noon) Check-in time: 2:00 p.m.Vacating & Registration: Campsites must be vacated or registration renewed by 12:00 p.m. on the due date. Camping is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period.Parking: Reserving campsites by parking vehicles or leaving items is prohibited. All vehicles (including boats/trailers) must be parked at your campsite or in designated areas. No parking on grass, roadsides, or vacant sites. Please ensure your visitors follow parking rules.Vehicle Operation: All vehicles (including mopeds and bicycles) must comply with Federal, State, and local laws. Stay on designated roads and use vehicles only for entering or exiting sites. UTVs, ATVs, and golf carts are not allowed in campgrounds or parks.Quiet Hours: From 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Campgrounds are restricted to registered campers during these hours. Visitors must leave by 10:00 p.m. Gates remain open 24/7.Trash Disposal: Use designated dumpsters only. Do not leave trash in fire rings, grills, or shower building cans. Remove all personal items and litter before departure. Recycling containers are available. Dumpsters are for trash generated on USACE property only.Grey Water Disposal: Grey water (from dishes, baths, soap, grease, etc.) must be collected and disposed of properly. Do not drain it on campsites or use it to water vegetation. Improper disposal creates odors, health issues, and attracts animals.Pets: Must be confined or leashed (6 feet or shorter) at all times. E-collars are not sufficient. Pets may not be left unattended and are not allowed in bathrooms or shower buildings. Pick up and dispose of waste properly.Firewood: Not available for purchase on-site. You may gather only fallen deadwood. Do not cut or damage trees, vegetation, or natural features. Firewood may be brought from home or purchased from off-site vendors.Pools & Water Games: Pools of any size or slip-n-slides and sprinklers are prohibited. Water tables are allowed.Prohibited Items: Fireworks, explosives, loaded firearms, ammunition, bows, and other projectile devices are not allowed.Smoking: Not allowed inside restrooms or shower buildings.Grills & Picnic Tables: Do not place grills or hot materials on picnic tables—use attached grill guards. Site holders are responsible for any damage or replacements.Yard Games: Games such as water balloons or egg toss are prohibited due to litter. Balloon pieces are non-biodegradable and harmful to pets and wildlife.Pet Leashes & Hammocks: Do not tie leashes, ropes, or chains to trees or shrubs. Hammocks may be used only on trees 6 inches or more in diameter to avoid damage.Alcoholic Beverages: Permitted for those 21 and older at all campgrounds.Hangtags: Registered campers may receive hangtags for access to beach and boat ramp day-use areas. Hangtags must be properly displayed.Golden Age/Access Passports: These and America the Beautiful Senior/Access Passes provide a 50% discount on recreation fees. The cardholder must present the card and ID during registration and be present for the stay. Fraudulent use is prohibited.Washing Equipment: Washing of RVs, trailers, vehicles, or equipment is not allowed at campgrounds or day-use areas. Use local wash facilities instead.Deliveries: Personal package deliveries (Amazon, FedEx, UPS, etc.) should be sent to your home, business, or a local postal facility. Saylorville Lake campgrounds, the Administration Building, and Visitor Center do not accept or hold deliveries.Equipment & Vehicle Storage: Reserving extra campsites solely to store equipment or vehicles is not allowed. Use designated overflow or additional parking during your stay.Water Spigots: Water spigots are for temporary use only to fill freshwater tanks. Do not use continuous hoses, Y-splitters, or attachments. Continuous hookups are only allowed at campsites with water service. |
